Premdor factory closes

Out of work –  Sandra Deal  and Stephen Wiffen
Out of work – Sandra Deal and Stephen Wiffen
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

A HISTORIC factory has closed, leaving 86 people jobless.

Sible Hedingham window maker Premdor, closed its gates for the last time yesterday more than 100 years after it first started trading.

The factory was established in 1899 and at its peak, employed nearly 700 people.

Most of its staff live in the Hedinghams, but others travelled from Colchester, Halstead and Braintree.

General manager Peter Smith, 51, who spent 32 years with Premdor and is losing his job, said: “While there’s a lot of sadness, there are a lot of good memories, too. The staff have been remarkably good.”

Castle Hedingham couple Stephen Wiffen and partner Sandra Deal are also jobless.

Ms Deal, 54, who spent nine years at Premdor, fixing hinges to frames, said: “It’s not going to be easy to find work in this area.”

Sible Hedingham Parish Council has in the past expressed an interest in using the factory site for community facilities.

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos